Write at least 100 words every day on a creative project. Doesn’t matter what genre. Most of us –if not all, at the moment – write fiction, but Word Count Buddies also covers nonfiction, as long as it’s creative writing. And no “banking.” If you write 1000 words today, you don’t get to take ten days off. It’s a hundred words MINIMUM per day.
The day’s word count to be posted by midnight Pacific Time. Some of us are in the eastern U.S., some in the West…and at some point (even if temporarily) some of us might be right smack in the middle. You’re welcome to treat midnight, local time, as your own personal deadline. But as a (more or less) official deadline, this gives us the best flexibility for folks across the States.
No fudging — and new words only. The words don’t have to be polished, but they do have to exist in some form other than our minds (a rough draft is all you need). Just planning a great piece of dialog or a cool scene in your head doesn’t count. We’re all probably great at that already. Words written on blogs don’t count (we’re writing books here). Crits given to other people don’t count. Simply editing doesn’t count. New content added during revision does count, however.
Doesn’t matter if it sucks. That’s why first attempts are called rough drafts. Editing can come later. It’s getting it from the head and onto the page that’s the real test. Flogging yourself doesn’t count. The idea is to write books, not to gaze lovingly at our navels.
No excuses! Well, okay. Dying is a reasonable excuse. But being too busy isn’t. Sickness? Only if you wish you were dying. On vacation or just someplace without Internet access (say, prison? The Gobi Desert? A Ukrainian hospital? Southern Utah?) say so before you go…and have the right number of words completed by the time you come home. This is vital, as it will keep you on track and prevent floggings from fellow union members. And be prepared to give a Weak Excuse (you can chose one from the list or add a new one of your own)
Keep each other honest — be honest — and flog (support) your fellow writers. Don't forget to post your progress on this website. Most of us also post in a prominent place on blogs, link to other buddies’ blogs, and visit them to keep up on their progress. If you miss your daily goal, your fellow bloggers will know it, and will verbally flog you (either on their blogs or on yours); if someone misses the writing goal, you can — indeed, are obligated to — flog that person.
One last thing. The most important thing. Probably goes without saying because everyone who has joined so far is great, but I can’t resist saying it anyway: be supportive and kind to your fellow writers. Deliver floggings when needed; give honest criticism when asked…but always give encouragement too (speaking for myself, I really need it…I’m probably not the only person out there who needs it)
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